Investigating the potential of mobile phones for e-governance in Indonesia

This paper brings to the fore various issues that inhibit the adoption of e-governance in developing countries, particularly in Indonesia. It articulates the importance for understanding and taking into account citizens’ needs and priorities in the application of e-governance. While the existing literature has examined e-governance mostly in isolation, this paper argues that it needs to be considered in tandem with citizen engagement through an analysis of the relationship between citizens and the state institutions. We define citizen engagement as a process of participation in state affairs that goes beyond being able to voice an opinion, but also to participate in decision-making processes. Active engagement means being able to seek greater accountability and information through increased discussion and consultation.